Peanut Clusters

No new recipes, but an old standby. Years ago, my Mom worked at the local hospital and in those days, they issued cookbooks with recipes by employees, for sale to raise money for some cause or other to benefit the hospital.  So, this recipe comes from Savory Creations, a cookbook by Mercy Employees Assn. Mercy Medical Center, Coon Rapids, MN in the 1980s.

This recipe is simple, simple, simple, but very yummy.  We found the store brand peanuts in a jar are just fine, but READ THE LABEL.  Many of the salted peanuts have other ingredients, such as garlic, that don't work so well.  I found that the unsalted and lightly salted peanuts are least likely to have other additives and the lack of salt doesn't seem to make much difference.    Try a batch without adding salt.  If you think it needs it, add no more than 1/8 teaspoon.

Peanut Clusters

Recipe submitted by Sue Fox

1 1/2 pounds almond bark
18 oz. chocolate chips (about 1 1/2 (12 oz) bags)
1 pound peanuts

Melt almond bark and chocolate chips together over low heat.   Add peanuts.  Drop on wax paper to set. Makes a lot. 

Maple Pecan Cookies

Mom has been making these cookies for a couple of years now. They are extremely yummy - right on par with Chocolate Chip.  Even better - make the cookie dough in advance and stick in the fridge so that you can make a dozen whenever you have a mind to eat them.  The fresh baked is so much better than freezing prebaked and thawing.

Vanilla Chip Maple Cookies

Debra Hogenson, Brewster, MN (published in Taste of Home Annual 2002)

1 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon maple flavoring
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups vanilla or white chips
1/2 cup chopped pecans

Frosting:
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon maple flavoring
4 to 6 tablespoons milk
3 1/2 cup pecan halves

In a mixing bowl, cream shortening, butter and brown sugar. Add eggs, once at a time, beating well after each.  Beat in vanilla and maple flavoring. Combine the flour and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in vanilla chips and pecans.

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets.  Bake in 350 F for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 2 minutes before removing to wire racks. In a mixing bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar. Beat in maple flavoring and enough milk to achieve spreading consistency. Frost cooled cookies. Top each with a pecan half.  Yield: about 7 dozen.

Yummy Bars

A treat that is bar none (pun intended) competely free of nutrition. Yum though. This recipe came from Health One Mercy Hospital Employee Association Cookbook entitled Savory Creations Vol 2. which was put out in the 80s.

Special K Bars

From Jeri Arendt, Short Stay

1 cup sugar
1 cup Karo white syrup
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
8 cups special K cereal
1 12 oz. pkg. chocolate chips
1 12 oz. pkg. butterscotch chips

Bring to boil in large glass bowl in microwave, sugar and syrup, 4-5 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes. Add peanut butter stir in well. Add cereal. Pat into 9x13 pan or cookie sheet. Mix chips in glass bowl, microwave 3-5 minutes on 70% power (7 on most microwaves) and mix until smooth. Cover cereal mixture.

Note: original recipe used 6 oz. packages of chips. I didn't think it provided enough coverage, but easily, a total of 18 oz. of chips would be ideal.